Tensions at Arsenal Are On Knife-Edge After No Major Signings and Injury Crisis Frustrate Supporters

As the news about Mikel Arteta’s injury filters through the Arsenal ranks, the hope and excitement that awaited the new season among Arsenal supporters is slowly turning into fear and anger before a ball has even been kicked. Arsenal start their campaign in a tricky game against last season’s survivalists Aston Villa, who managed to keep hold of their most prized asset Christian Benteke. Arsenal, for a change, have not sold any key players, but they have failed to make any significant signings, only bringing in talented Frenchman youth player Yaya Sanogo, who will most likely be watching most of the games from the touchline.

Arsenal fans were expecting to enter the new season with a minimum of two new star signings, individuals that were pried away from their previous clubs due to their superior footballing abilities, but no such thing happened. They have tried and tried with Luis Suarez, and agreed personal terms with Gonzalo Higuain, and depending on who you trust, lost out to getting Luiz Gustavo because they weren’t willing to offer enough money. Supporters are already expecting another barren season, but what will irritate them most is that their neighbors and most hated rivals, Tottenham, have been wide awake throwing around their “Bale” money. Given that that they are most likely going to be without the Welshman for this season, they have made sure to compensate for that loss. Arsenal fans have become envious of a Tottenham transfer policy that has seen them bring in Roberto Soldado, Nacer Chadli, Paulinho and Etienne Capoue.

The news of Arteta’s injury has added fuel to a fire still burning from last season, briefly subdued by a fourth place finish. The loss of Arsenal’s makeshift defensive midfielder, a position they have failed to properly fill since Gilberto Silva’s departure, has left them scrambling. Having sent out Coquelin on loan and missing out on players like Gustavo and Capoue, who were heavily linked with Arsenal for the better part of last season, fans have started to become cynical and angered by the lack of ambition in the transfer market. The only other team in the race for the title that has not been making waves in the transfer market has been Manchester United. However, a title and managerial change will temporarily lessen expectations. Plus they wrapped up the signing of English forward Wilfried Saha long before the transfer window even opened.

Last year there was a clear and growing divide between the staunch supporters of Wenger and the fans that have had enough of him and wanted him to step down gracefully. Achieving Champions League football and touting a summer transfer budget of £70million, increased expectations for the club, and tempered the anger of supporters. When the window opened, transfer targets were plentiful and every player became a viable target, but as time passed and targets went elsewhere, even the loyal supporters of Wenger were starting to make noise.

It is clear that the team needs reinforcement, especially up front and the defensive midfield position. Olivier Giroud’s season last year was spotty, but he was expected to play every game and his physical condition started to suffer in February and March, picking up small injuries and a recurring back injury. Even the staunchest supporters of Wenger are having a hard time justifying the ever-increasing prices on tickets and merchandise, without the joy of seeing a world class player join the team. Without any signings, the rumbling will continue and any Arsenal loss against weaker opposition or a dry spell up front will prompt heavy jeering by the supporters. By not signing anyone, Wenger is not the only one under intense pressure but the whole squad will be, especially with a poor start to the season or failure to beat Fenerbahce. For young players like Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey and now Sanogo, coping with expectations to win the Premier League without receiving much support in terms of added cavalry may extremely harmful to their still growing confidence.

These last two weeks are crucial for Wenger and his legacy. Wenger has always been a master tactician and his transfer dealings on a whole have been nothing short of spectacular, but he likes to find the perfect piece for the puzzle and if that does not come available, he may dip into the market for a makeshift player and often times, that ends up disastrous. If worse comes to worse, Arsenal may need to rely on Niklas Bendtner, and although in his delusional world he is somewhere between Pele and Maradona, his failures at Sunderland and Juventus and comments attacking Arsenal have made him a persona non grata at the Emirates, and seeing him in a full kit on the bench may see some supporters revolt. When the team’s options for a striker go from Gonzalo Higuain, Luis Suarez or David Villa to Nicklas Bendtner, then anger, rage and disappointment will be fully expected.

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About The Author

Watching and playing football has been a passion of mine since my early childhood in Switzerland, supporting my beloved Servette FC. I have since lived in Lebanon and the United States, but football has never left me.
The best memory I have had was staying up to watch the Champions League final and see Lars Ricken chip Peruzzi from 30 yards out.
I am also an unapologetic Arsenal fan and please stop reminding us how many years it has been since the last trophy.

10 Comments

pAugust 16, 2013

He’ll make the signings necessary to maintain CL status, before the window closes.

Arsenal are always in crisis and yet somehow they finish in the top 4. Until they miss out there’s no reason to panick. There’s plenty of time left before the transfer window closes and I wouldn’t be surprised to see 2 important signings by the deadline.

The only sensible thing I’ve heard anyone say about this seasons title race has been from Wenger….which made me vomit in my mouth a bit when I agreed with it.

However, his 70 point observation is correct, especially as 2nd – 5th were separated by just 6 points, then the drop off was harsh 9pts between 5th and 6th and 11pts for 5th – 7th.

All the pundits saying its a CFC and Man City war are fools, if Farsenal had signed three of the 12 players they’d tried to get they may be in with a shout, but for me its MU,MC,CFC.THFC in the running.

Looking at numbers, if if if if Bale goes (I don’t think he will but will concede the possibility if the £105 is met) Soldado will replace Bales 21 BPL goals and more IMO, so, after that goal contribution ‘Swap Dee Doo’ what else have Spurs done in comparison to Farsenal in improving the squad? A-lot! a-lot more than Farsenal, Chelski and Man Utd as well for that matter and its not done yet, I think another 2 big players will also join.

No more Thud, Parker, Livermore, Dempsey, all who don’t cut at the level AVB wants to play at, all points to us aiming for the top, The great Bill Nicholson nailed it.

‘It is better to fail aiming high than to succeed aiming low. And we of Spurs have set our sights very high, so high in fact that even failure will have in it an echo of glory.’

Lamela and Willian will do nicely thank you very much, maybe Coentao too!

Farsenal not adding and standing still means they will be left behind, with Wilshire wanting to join Man Utd next Summer.

BTW, its not “Bale Money”, everyone wants it to be, but this has been planned for a while, Lewis giving the ok for the money before all this Bale madness.

I think Spurs have made purchases with a minimum of 80 plus points as the goal…. 8 points plus from last year are certainly feasible with the new signings, irrespective of Bale’s presence …

What are Farsenal aiming for? 73points again? and a good cup run? what a joke the only Ambition Farsenal are showing is that of someone trying to figure out the best way to con a fanbase into coughing up cash.

Yes conning fans…and the sad things is 50% of Farsenal fans also think they are being conned….you obviously don’t, we have progression you have what? Money in the bank and still the highest prices ok the league.

While winning nothing you’ve paid Wenger £51m … LoL for what 8 UCL games a year.

Rumour has it that Wenger drops E’s most evenings. He loves his team and the world is a wonderful place. We are winners to him whatever happens and he feels connected to everybody and everything. To him our football is pure dance. He is very thirsty though. Wonder what he will think when he comes down? He might buy a player or two.